Asbury Park, NJ. (Top40 Charts/ Asbury
Music Awards) - Days Awake has become one of the most respected bands in the storied history of the Asbury Park music scene. For more than three years they thrilled audiences with a high energy blend of epic-scale rock and roll, with a little bit of soul mixed in for good measure. In the process, they won eight Asbury
Music Awards, including nods for the coveted Best Rock Band award twice.
In the meantime, a young singer/songwriter named Rick Barry was making his way up the ladder in the same Asbury Park music scene. Audiences were immediately drawn to Rick's fearless nature, and the uncommon honesty of his songs. He recorded two acclaimed albums, the full band 'Small Town Politics', followed by the solo acoustic 'Declaration of Codependence', and won three Asbury Music Awards while he was at it. In 2006 Rick won the Grand Prize in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
The members of Days Awake and Rick Barry became fast friends, recognizing in each other a deep devotion to the music, and to the fans. When the band made the painful decision to part ways in early 2007, three members, guitarist Jeremy Korpas (three-time Asbury Music Award nominee), keyboard player Eric Safka (two-time Asbury Music Award winner), and drummer Sarah Tomek (three-time Asbury Music Award winner), decided to stay together. Somehow it seemed only natural that they should team up with Rick Barry to create something altogether new, and with the addition of bass player Justin Bornemann, the new band was complete.
'While we are sad about the ending of Days Awake, we had a great ride. There were some amazing shows, and best of all, we made a lot of friends who we hope to always have,' according to Jeremy Korpas. 'At the same time, we are really excited about the new band. We've agreed that our music will have no limits. It's going to be a totally creative, collaborative experience,' he continued.
So Paperback Radio was born and their high-profile debut has been scheduled for the 2007 WAVE Gathering in Asbury Park. The second year festival has quickly become a high point on the busy music calendar in the reviving shore town, and the timing of the festival is perfect for the band. 'We couldn't ask for a better venue to unveil the new band than at the WAVE Gathering. It's in our hometown, all of our friends will be around that weekend playing at the festival, and the eyes of the region's music world will be on Asbury Park,' said Rick Barry. 'It's a little bit daunting, but I think we're up to the challenge,' he added.
The band has been rehearsing and writing together in preparation for the recording of their first album this year. Expect great songs. Expect intense musical interaction from players with prodigious chops. Expect to be blown away by the live show. Expect the unexpected.
